The MK-84 bombs, produced by Boeing, have been a controversial weapon due to their wide blast radius and devastating impact when used in urban settings. | A shipment of 1,600 MK-84 heavy munitions, each weighing 2,000 pounds, has arrived in Israel from the United States following a reversal of an arms freeze by the Trump administration. The delivery, which was swiftly transported to Israeli Air Force bases, is part of Washington’s ongoing and uncritical military support for Israel, despite international concerns over civilian casualties in Gaza and the broader humanitarian impact of explosive weapons in populated areas.

The Trump administration has been clear that peace in Ukraine will entail no NATO membership, no return of Ukrainian territories, and no US security guarantees. Furthermore, the US is preparing to leave both Ukraine and Europe. The Europeans are outraged about the US preparedness to make peace with Russia, yet they have presented no other alternatives than sending more weapons. The Europeans and Ukrainians also oppose that a deal is being made behind their backs, yet they have boycotted all diplomacy for the past three years. Europe is waking up to a realist reality as the terms for a peace agreement will be decided in Moscow and Washington.

Representatives of the Russian and American media were simultaneously led to the meeting venue, with Russian and US journalists waiting in different parts of the building [...] From the Russian side, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Kremlin Aide Yury Ushakov are at the negotiating table. Opposite them are three US negotiators: President Donald Trump's national security advisor Mike Waltz, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the US leader's special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff. [...] The meeting is being held in one of the royal family's palaces, Diriyah in the Albasateen complex.

(Meanwhile in Kyiv): Coup in Kiev: Zelensky abuses peace talks to take out rivals

✅ Trump To Force Ukraine Peace on Europe (John Mearsheimer, Alexander Mercouris & Glenn Diesen)(VIDEO)
✅ Ukraine Risks Trump’s Wrath After Bombing Partially US-Owned Oil Infrastructure In Russia (Andrew Korybko)
✅ The Polish Security Chief Shared Some Interesting Insight About The Ukrainian Conflict’s Endgame (Andrew Korybko)

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov rhetorically responded to journalists' questions about the possibility of territorial concessions to Kyiv. He does not see how it could be [even] possible to give away the lands where the Russian people live.

💬 “Do you even want to be present at the settlement talks about the fact that some territories should be ceded? How should they be ceded: with Russians or without people, with only rare earth metals?” - he said at a press conference.

Recall, Lavrov will lead the Russian delegation at tomorrow's talks with the United States in Saudi Arabia. The Minister shared his expectations from the upcoming meeting. (Translation: DeepL (free version) + Grammarly)

Europe has relied on US defense and funding for nearly 70 years and is incapable of handling this burden alone, Mikael Valtersson, a former Swedish Armed Forces and Air Defense officer, tells Sputnik, commenting on French President Emmanuel Macron’s urgent security meeting. | "Europe would have to spend 10 % for a couple of decades to reach the same level of defense that they have with US protection," Valtersson says. He argues that Europe's fears of a US military withdrawal from the continent are well-founded, as the Trump administration is expected to prioritize China and its own regional interests. "For the Trump administration, Europe is seen as just a burden," he adds.

■ Germany urges NATO unity following emergency meeting on Ukraine (RT)

The most important use of lithium pertains to rechargeable batteries for mobile phones, laptops, digital cameras and electric vehicles. | Finding effective ways to develop lithium remains on the radar of Russian scientists, Ruslan Khamizov, corresponding member of Russia’s Academy of Sciences and director of the Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry, told Scientific Russia magazine.